In a crackdown against corruption within its own ranks, Punjab Polices Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) has booked Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vavinder Kumar Mahajan for allegedly accepting Rs 45 lakh bribe to protect a pharmaceutical company involved in violations of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.   Despite a raid at his Amritsar residence on Wednesday, Mahajan managed to flee moments before the police arrived. His name surfaced after the recent arrest of drug inspector Shishan Mittal, linking Mahajan to a larger conspiracy. Mahajan is presently posted as DSP in Punjab Armed Police (PAP) 9th Battalion, Amritsar.   Mahajans involvement in corrupt practices came to light during the investigation of a major drug bust earlier this year. In February 2024, the ANTF seized 1.98 crore Alprazolam tablets and 40 kilograms of raw Alprazolam, setting off a chain of inquiries that eventually led to Mahajan.   Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed that Mahajan, while serving in the ANTF, accepted a bribe from Aster Pharma to shield them from legal action in a drug-related case. The ANTF uncovered serious NDPS violations during a joint inspection at M/s Smilax Pharmachem Drug Industries in May 2024. Preliminary investigations revealed that DSP Mahajan accepted Rs 45 lakhs from Aster Pharma to safeguard their interests, said Yadav.   The case intensified after the ANTF arrested drug inspector Shishan Mittal a few weeks ago. Mittal, accused of facilitating drug smuggling and laundering money, provided crucial information about Mahajans role during interrogation. Authorities recovered Rs 1.49 crore in cash, 260 grams of gold, and 515 Dirhams from Mittal, and his illegally acquired assets, including flats worth Rs two crore and multiple bank accounts totaling Rs 7.09 crore, were frozen.

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